Media Morning
The thrill of getting to take flight

[August 26, 2023]   Although the morning was a bit hazy and the temp around 80 degrees at 6 a.m. the thrill in the air was like a rush of wild horses bursting forth inside of me. My Belgian husband of five months, was going to have the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon for the first time in his life.

The opportunity came when Nila Smith of Lincoln Daily News asked me if John would like to go up a balloon. I was in shock. He has always been fascinated with birds in flight. I couldn't imagine he would say no. When I asked him he was stunned and said right away that it had been a childhood dream to fly. He has been in an airplane several times, but this experience was mind boggling.

I was so excited he wanted to go and later that day Nila said I was going with him. I was thinking I was going to be taking pictures and would help the crew and be in the chase vehicle. I had flown once before many years ago but as the thought of being in the air with him sank in I could hardly wait. We both had a hard time trying to be ready if we could not go up due to the weather. It's hard to want something so bad that you fear you might not be able to do it.

When we got the green light to go my heart was racing. This was really going to happen! I am sure no one would have been able to wipe the smile off my face!!

Jerry and MaryAnn Garcia of Albuquerque were our hosts, along with their good friend Ben Pankey. Jerry was the pilot and in charge of everything in the air. MaryAnn was in charge of everything on the ground. The three of them taught us what to do and how to help as well as gave us safety tips.

I think we were the last to get up and the last one back down. Our flight was amazing. We saw deer in the field, flocks of geese flying under us, touched the very tops of beans and corn, and heard dogs barking and people yelling up to us. When the burner wasn't blasting we could hear everything. It was so quiet and we just floated effortlessly. Amazing. I will never forget it.

Thank you Nila and all the people who plan and work hard for all of us to enjoy!!

[Karen Castelein]